Unschooling

March 14, 2013

{Daily read-aloud to me with a vintage Dick & Jane book. (I was sitting in the chair.) I love coming across them at garage sales and thrifts for this purpose!}

My skin flared up something crazy again this weekend. This time after I had coffee (and possibly the salsa and the red pepper hummus I ate, as well). But I know I flared up after having coffee other times in these past three months because I've only had it about three times during that time and every time I got worse. Yet, on Sunday afternoon while Mark as enjoying his usual Thermos of coffee, I just thought it looked so good and drank two cups. And it was! But my body didn't agree for some reason.

This thing is quite bizarre in that I've been noticing that certain things I eat are causing it to flare up. And it's not just one thing like I was suspecting in the beginning.

I started using antihistamines a few weeks ago and I've needed them nearly every day since - except last week my skin finally began to clear up and was the best it's been in weeks and weeks and I was able to go a few days without them - until I had that coffee/salsa/hummus (?). I'm sure more than anything that it's food-related but 'why' and 'what' are still the questions.

I was tested for fungal and candida infections and I have neither of those. A rash can be a sign of each of those and several people have mentioned them to me so I made sure to ask when I was in. Speaking of, I just want to say thank you again to everyone who has taken the time to message me with suggestions and their own experiences. It really means a lot to me! And I feel like one way or another, it will lead to a resolution of all this - because each of you who offers suggestions/experiences gets me thinking about different things that may be the issue here or even may not be (like candida and fungal infections). It also helps knowing I'm not alone because I do sometimes get all that emotional stuff from feeling so itchy or uncomfortable on the days when it flares up bad. But I'm still optimistic that we'll figure this out eventually! Nothing lasts forever, right?

Because it flared up again this weekend, Mark and I did a lot of discussing and reflecting and I am now taking the heavy-dose steroids for relief. Albeit temporary as this thing seems to come and go... but I'll enjoy it while I'm getting it! Today is Day 2 of a 5 Day dose of heavier steroids and it's already dramatically different - inflammation is way down and it's barely itchy at all! Never mind that I was acting all crazy emotional/crabby today right along with my baby who is getting them with me (because I'm nursing). She goes from a happy baby to a monster baby, on steroids. (; But at least we get more snuggle time that way (she is normally not a snuggler, this one).

I wouldn't bat an eye about taking them at this point if it weren't for that... I'm not happy that she's getting such a strong dose of them with me. But our doctor (chiro) reassured me that short-term like this is okay. So, that made me feel a little better about doing it. (I know some will get it and some won't - but I don't even take acetaminophen ever, whether I'm nursing or not. --Although, since cutting out sugar and most grains/wheat and dairy and processed foods, I don't get headaches like I used to. I used to get them all the time.)

This whole hives thing really makes me realize how important it is for me to keep working on getting healthy. I have a long way to go but I'm not giving up! I wasn't working out in the past two months because of discomfort but when things calmed down the first time, nearly three weeks ago now, I started working out every day again (taking Sundays off to rest my muscles) for 30 minutes doing cardio (with some stretching and yoga, too).

I didn't work out at all last year. And in December I worked out the entire month and it felt so good to get back at it, both physically and mentally. (And then I started getting these hives so I hit a little road block for a bit.) I need to work out for my mental health just as much as the physical. It's just making it a habit that I always struggle with.

I'm not a fit person by nature (but, by golly, I'm going to get there!) and I have never exercised consistently my entire life until recent years and I would love to lose (more than) a few pounds but weight loss itself has never been my main goal. It just doesn't motivate me even though I would love to be back in my pre-pregnancy jeans from when I lost the weight just before I got pregnant this time around.

My goal is to feel healthy. That's what keeps me going and what motivates me to exercise. And feeling the difference in my endurance from barely being able to do a rep of jumping jacks in the beginning of December to being able to do them the entire time with the trainer on the video I'm following is a reminder that something is happening even if I don't feel it in my jeans yet. So, that's what keeps me going right now.

Working out is hard. But I've discovered that it's also something I enjoy doing. Mark's so good about giving me tough-love when I start to feel like giving up (because as I said above, it's not natural for me and I am the pro at making excuses not to do it!). He knows how much I want this - and reminds me that I can do it and I can't use excuses like there's no time in the day because I home school or want to work on my shop. (Because working on my shop is way more fun than exercising once school is done for the day!) If I want to be healthy, I need to fight for it.

Now, after a few weeks, it's beginning to feel nearly routine again. I actually look forward to it. I did a workout video (on YouTube) that had kick-boxing recently - a first for me. So many of my friends have done kick-boxing over the years but I'd never done it before. I got a lot of suggestions on Facebook recently from friends, too - and I'm looking forward to trying different things to keep a variety going. If you have a favorite workout suggestion, I'd love to hear from you, too!

February 23, 2013

At the beginning of the school year for creative writing, I ordered the Story Starters: Helping Children Write Like They've Never Written Before
book by Karen Andreola. I highly recommend it. It was written by a homeschooling mom and I especially like that there are story starters of other children who homeschool so my kids can easily relate to them. It's super thick and has 458 pages. So there are countless ideas to get kids writing.

Initially both of my kids (my two who are at the right level for this book) loved it. As the year progressed, my eleven year old (Nikayda), who has never been super crazy about story writing has begun to tire of it but not my 9 year old (Abram).

He absolutely loves the book and looks forward to it every time it's time for 'Story Starters'. Lately, he's begun to request writing his own stories entirely from start to finish. That is exactly what I was hoping for and I believe this book helped to pave the path to where he is now.

Of course, he is 9, and therefore uses quite a bit of creative license fitting for his age group with the stories he writes. For instance, he wrote a story about a band of robbers with body parts as their names; Lung, Heart, Liver... Butt.

*sigh*

And then, we have the stories of blood and gore. Which apparently holds a deep fascination for boys. I have no idea where it comes from as we don't read stories like that and he isn't exposed to war/killing video games, etc. So, I'm chalking it up to a 'boy thing'.

And, then we have the story about the 'Potty Boy'. But, hey, I tell myself, at least he's writing. And of his own free will! (....right...?)

As a homeschooling mom I was thrilled to finally find the solution for getting him excited about writing. And while I realize everyone isn't going to love creative writing, I feel fortunate that I've found something that works him. Because believe me after a couple of years of nearly pulling my hair out trying to get him to write a few sentences in a daily journal, this is a big deal.

Nikayda has some penpals that she regularly corresponds with so it's not that she absolutely doesn't enjoy creative writing. She just hasn't been as into story writing. Yet. I keep hoping it'll come with time. And if it doesn't, that's okay, too.

{Please note: If you purchase through the link in this post, I may earn a small monetary gain through Amazon Affiliates. In all honesty, this is all new to me, so I'm still not completely sure how this whole thing works... but I'm trying it out as I've set some goals to take my blog in new directions this year...}

February 15, 2013

I find holidays like Valentine's Day to be a little too commercialized and all about consumerism. That being said, they're still an opportunity for celebration and celebrations are always fun!

The kids woke up to a little surprise Thursday morning:

They were really excited and it made my day to see how just a little effort and little to no money could make them smile so big. So worth it to stay up those few extra minutes it took to put it all together!

(I wrapped up some Cookies
for our Valentine's party and put individual cellophane heart bags on the table for them that had some Gummy Bears
and Gummy Worms
in them with a little card.)

The paper lace hearts on the windows are thrifted/vintage as is the red and white tissue paper heart banner. They were in bags of misc. vintage paper things at a garage sale or the thrift and have been in my stash for years. I have such a weakness for vintage ephemera (and wallpaper) and it's usually one of the first things I'm digging through at Estate sales or the thrift.

One of our local grocery stores always has these heart mylar balloons
for only a dollar each at Valentine's time each year and we usually pick
some up for the kids.

{On Aria: Short sleeve and long sleeve tees and pants, thrifted. Moccasins from Kaboogie. Thrifted retro high chair $2.00. One of my favorite finds last year. It's in excellent shape. I'd been hoping to find a cute metal one. I have one in the basement but it needs new rubber covers for the legs so I was really excited to come across this one.}

I always have these big intentions of doing stuff like this for their birthdays (and holidays) every year. I used go all out with streamers and balloons in decorating their bedrooms for their birthdays while they were sleeping, when they were younger. But over the years, I've kind of gotten out of the habit. Although, I still try to blow up a bunch of balloons so they're strewn all over the living room floor when they wake up nowadays.

I'm always inspired by this blogger and all of the things she does to make every special occasion something to remember for her girls. She inspires me to remember that just a little effort can bring about the best memories for your kids. It doesn't have to be anything huge and extravagant in order to be special. Sometimes the simplest things truly are the best!

It was so easy to put this together for them and if I could come up with other simple ideas, I might do it a little more often. So worth it to see how fun it was for them.

February 14, 2013

{On Aria: Carter's pajamas that I thrifted at the Salvation Army near my hometown. I found the pants first and got really lucky because the shirt was still available when I searched for it. (They have everything separated in the shop.) I love them and am going to be sad when she outgrows them. They're 12 months size and probably won't fit her for much longer.}

I'm excited to surprise the kids for Valentine's Day. I've never done it before... that I recall... but I decorated the kitchen with vintage paper lace hearts, a vintage heart tissue paper banner, and mylar balloons - and they have some little treats wrapped up for them with a card waiting on the table. I even put a bright pink mylar balloon on Aria's high chair.

And I bought pop.

The kids were asking for pop for their Valentine's Day party when I was on my way out the door to run to the grocery store tonight/last night and I told them they didn't need pop.

I guess it never hurts to shout out requests when I'm on the way out the door!

January 13, 2013

I'm not really into New Year's Resolutions. At least not in the formal aspect of it all. I pretty much never make them. But this year, I made a huge list of goals for the coming year. Included in that mile long list is to start blogging regularly again. I miss it. It's just easy to just let it slide once you haven't for a while.

It's the thirteenth day of January and I figured I had better get started if I want it to count. So here we go...

I'm quite rusty at this whole thing so it'll probably take me a while to 'warm up' again but, lately, I've been doing a lot of contemplating on what it means to give up and what it means to keep going.

I started on a health journey with my doc's guidance (my chiropractor) after Aria was born last year. I've been ever so slowly dropping the weight over the past 8 months and have just about reached my prepregnancy weight. Not my ideal or my goal weight but my prepregnancy weight.

I have been so unhealthy and out of shape for so long that I knew it wouldn't be a cake-walk to get back into shape. There have been ups and downs. And I've struggled to implement a habit of daily exercise again. --In spite of finally starting and keeping one before I got pregnant with Aria. But I haven't been able to consistently start back up again ever since I was laid up with Hyperemesis Gravidarum in the beginning of my pregnancy (Fall of 2011).

But I'm not giving up. I will keep trying every day. Even if it takes me a little longer than I'd like, I will get healthy. (I say 'healthy' because just being 'thin' isn't my goal.)

I just never dreamt it would be as hard as it has been. I cut out almost all sugar and grains for the first 7 months. The weight just trickled off after the initial drop that I got when I quit sugar and grains so sometimes I feel frustrated about that because as anyone knows who enjoys sweets and grains as much as I did, it's *hard* to not eat them. But I was and am very dedicated to this. So I just keep on trucking. (I hope to blog more about my health journey if I can get back into the habit of blogging again.) I feel very fortunate to have such a supporting husband through it all though. Whenever I'm feeling frustrated or I get down about it, he's always so quick with encouraging words and an optimistic perspective to keep me on track. I couldn't do this without him.

I've been working on my loft this winter. It overlooks our living room and it's pretty much been our 'storage' room all these years of living in this under-construction-home. And every year I say it's going to be cleared out so we can use it as an art space and for homeschool. Mark calls it my "lifetime project" since it's been something I've started and stopped - and talked about getting organized - for years.

But this is the year. It's far more cleared out than it's ever been. (i.e. You can see the floor.) I've got a bunch of metal locker cupboards situated up there as well as some bookshelves and old suitcases full of arts and craft supplies. And the boxes that are left up there are boxes full of vintage clothes to list in the junk shop - and some odds and ends I need to put somewhere else. It's getting there... One more thing that's taken far longer than anticipated - but also something I've never given up on. It will be done one day and I can't wait to use it to make art up there!

I believe that if you keep going. Even when you stumble and fall. And you never quit - the things you want to happen will happen. You just have to keep going. Keep fighting. Oh, and think positive thoughts. That part is really important, too.

The New Year lit a fire in me. And I hope to keep that flame burning. I was a little down with the blues at Christmas time and I'm still working through that - but feeling much better. So it feels nice to make a list of goals and begin working toward them.

September 27, 2012

Inspired by one of my favorite bloggers {Bleubird Vintage}, who recently began sharing more of her homeschool journey, I decided while planning our school year to incorporate Nature Study into the mix this time around. Our first few weeks were a little busy as we began the balance of school and life so I didn't get to the Nature aspect of it all until this week. But, I'm finding my planner to be absolutely imperative this year in planning fun, extra activities for the kids. (I hate to admit it... but the planner is something I haven't exactly utilized well in previous years. But I'm loving it this year!)

{On Aria: Thrifted Sweatshirt and leggings. Vintage dress found on Etsy, from a friend (Mark's cousin, Joanna). Vintage bonnet. Moccasins from KaBoogie. (Love them! And highly recommend them. They stay on baby's feet really well due to the elastic around the ankles.)}

This summer, we noticed walking trail signs and trails at the local park and have been wanting to give them a good inspection. So, yesterday, armed with our Nature workbooks and various other odds and ends for nature study (i.e. binoculars, pencils, paper, etc.), along with a few unnecessary objects (the kids had all sorts of stuff packed into their bags!), we set off down the trails. It was a beautiful and sunny fall day. The temp. was a cool 61° and the sky was a bright blue. As we walked, the dry leaves crunched under foot and we heard geese overhead. We stopped periodically to inspect trees and bark and plants and even spotted a relatively good-sized animal hole near the path.

The trails are absolutely beautiful! There was a small tree stump or two in the path in one section but otherwise, the trails were free of any major debris and were plenty wide for the four and a half of us to stroll through. (Aria rode along in the Moby.) They were long and winding and even split off in a couple of directions in two different places. We spent an hour out there and didn't go in all directions. So, we're looking forward to revisiting the park soon and checking them out!

Darwin, and his theories of evolution, is listed as a naturalist in the book along with several other famous naturalists. Our kids are familiar with him and what he stands for but we don't agree with his theories. I thought I'd mention this for anyone else thinking about looking into the workbook. So far, that's the only thing I've seen that stands out to me worth noting.

Locals, I definitely recommend the trails if you haven't checked them out yet! Not sure when they were made but I can't believe we hadn't been on them before. It's so very peaceful and tranquil out there in the woods.

September 26, 2012

I love art in its many forms. Admittedly, though, I haven't focused very much on a formal art and music study when it comes to our homeschool. Mostly it's because I've always been more concerned about the main subjects that the kids needed to learn about, and as a beginner to homeschooling I didn't want them to get behind on those things, so it felt somewhat distracting to me to incorporate extras into our day. So art and music took a bit of a backseat these past few years.

{Mark's work shirts make the perfect painting smocks for the kids.}

{You can catch a glimpse of our new back deck here, made completely from salvaged lumber (salvaged = free) - and the old door Mark rescued from a job that was destined for the trash that he sanded down and added a couple of new sections of wood to in order to make it work here. We still need to add trim and paint both the door and the deck but that probably won't happen for awhile.}

Art and music are all around us as a more informal part of our lives but we haven't done any sort of structured learning with them. The kids are always doing their own art projects and stuff but I haven't actually done lessons with them until recently.

In many ways, though, I think that takes away from the fun of learning for the kids when I don't incorporate those things more often and I feel like I'm letting that part of me, a huge part of me, go to the wayside. So much of what pertains to creativity can be utilized when it comes to educating kids and I've made it a priority, this year, to really delve into that aspect of education. And we're already beginning to reap the rewards.

The kids absolutely love school this year. Not just 'liking' it, they're loving it, and actually asking to do the things they need to do... with the exception of math for my one child who doesn't like math - and vocabulary. But we're working on that, too! Making it better and trying different approaches.

We're using Wordly Wise 3000 this year for vocabulary and I like it because my kids find it challenging. I remind them that they need to be challenged in order to learn when they try to whine, "It's too hard!" It's not. It just challenges them and I love that. (We have the workbooks - but I'm planning to incorporate some of the on-line resources on the site that are available as we progress through the year.)

No child is going to love every subject. No doubt. But it's a tremendous reward after doing this for four years to have my kids finally tell me they love most of them. Every year has gotten better and better as we learn about and try different materials and approaches to learning. And I hope to share some of the resources we really like as I find the time.

There's no sugar coating it, homeschooling is a lot of work, and you have to enjoy doing it in order for it to be successful. It's not for everyone but I love doing this! I love all the research that goes into each of the subjects. I love the time I get to spend with my kids each and every day. Of course, we have days where the kids are bickering and I'm ready to pull my hair out and in those cases, they get shipped outside and we all take a break to regroup. But I really enjoy and treasure this time with my kids. And, in all honesty, those moments are relatively few and far between. I love seeing them get excited about different topics. And I even love the planning that goes into each week. Each year. It's so rewarding. And I recommend it for anyone who is thinking about doing it.

We came about homeschooling quite by accident... I never considered it before Carter was diagnosed with severe peanut allergy. And, in fact, I always said I'd never do it. I wasn't interested. But since beginning it four years ago, we've come to consider it one of the greatest blessings in our life. It's such a wonderful and rewarding experience. And it's little wonder why so many families choose this path. It may have been an accidental thing for us, but I'm so thankful for it now!

September 18, 2012

I just came across this link on the Westin A. Price Foundation's Facebook site. Passing this on for those who are interested in learning more about the detrimental effects of GMO's. This documentary is available for free on-line streaming until Sept. 22.

February 21, 2011

These pictures are from a couple of weeks ago but we got a little dusting, a couple of inches of snow, today. (Willow, watching the kids play.)

I found these, a pair of black Sorel boots from a garage sale last summer. My first pair of winter boots in almost 9 years. ($2.00 -- Given the choice, I'd have picked something more colorful, but for the price they can't be beat.) They make me wonder how I've survived this long without them in these cold winter climes. It sure feels nice to have warm feet when I run errands this year!

We had a really nice weekend snuggled in at home as a family this weekend and Mark got a bit more wood chopped for the wood stove. It was perfect and it went by much too quickly. Now we're ready for another week. (I hope your weekend went well, too!)

I don't normally follow the public school schedule as far as days off go because we do a four day school week, but we took today off and it was nice to have a little three day weekend. Although, technically, there was still a bit of school snuck in anyway. There usually is.

With home school, the lines of learning are often blurred. Learning goes on 24/7 and we grab any opportunity for a learning experience. We don't have a distinct line as far as time goes for when school happens. We have our four day schedule but if they want to learn, then we learn when it's outside of our 'normal' school time. If the kids spontaneously want to be quizzed on math problems or writing or whatever then we do it, even if it's the weekend. It's not just a four (or five) day thing. (Although, don't tell that to the kids because they think they only have four days of school each week.)

I was super excited to see the new exhibit at the Science Museum in Sunday's paper! (Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs.) The exhibit is in the cities until September 5 and we're going to make every effort to take a field trip there in the next few months.

Last year, we learned all about Egypt and the Pharaohs as part of the kid's history and geography. I let the kids pick the things they want to learn about for history and that was what Nikayda chose. (It's been a great jumping off point for us to have discussions about God and our own faith, as well.)

This year, we're reading all about Africa and a large portion of our history lessons have been about early Egypt again. The kids are so fascinated with it and this exhibit would really bring it all to life for them. I can't wait to take them!

February 15, 2011

We don't have a very formal approach to art in our home school simply because the kids are always doing art. They have free reign of all of the art supplies and at any given time are making things on their own throughout the day. So...when I come across a fun art project (i.e. a structured project), it's always kind of fun to sit down and make something together. (Below, a corner of Nikayda's room. I feel like adding the little heart banner finally helped to pull this random wall collage together.)

I came across this tutorial last week, while surfing through some of my favorite blogs, for some wax paper hearts that I thought looked pretty cool. The kids had a blast grating a bunch of our old/broken crayons for this. I gave them each a vintage grater, last night, and let them go to town! They loved it.

Let me warn you, this project makes a bit of a mess but as I told the kids, "It isn't fun unless it makes a mess!" In hindsight, I would have put the drop cloth over the entire table as opposed to where the kids were because it kept sliding and we still got crayon particles everywhere.

It was fun to see the different colors they each carefully chose for their respective banners. I ended up free-hand cutting out all of their hearts for them (their choice) and threading Abram's and Carter's. Although, Carter helped me thread quite a few of his. Nikayda did her own threading, and they all picked out their own yarn color. (Below, Abram's banner hanging in the living room window. The little lean-to is for the goats.)

Now they're hung on our 'newly' trimmed but unpainted windows, adding a little splash of color around here. And I love that they would work year round even though we made them for a Valentine's project. (Below, Nikayda's.)

I may have a relatively new point and shoot -- but after scoping through Ashley's blog, I have a renewed itch for a digital SLR! Maybe this will be the year...! or next. A girl can dream... (Below, Carter's banner hanging in the sitting room window. You can see the chicken coop (which still needs windows) in the background there.)

It's been such a treat now knowing that we'll get a steady paycheck every two weeks -- as opposed to the random checks of self-employed carpentry that we've been getting for the past 9 years. We just got our second one...here is to catching up on the past few months in the next few months! At least, we're heading in the right direction now... :)